ICNX

Marathon · KEN

@sabastiansawe

Sabastian
Sawe

World Record
1World Record
World Nr. 1
2World Nr. 1
World Champion
1World Champion
Never Been Done
1Never Been Done
2Legend
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No one had ever legally run a marathon in under two hours. He ran 1:59:30.

About Sabastian

Sabastian Kimaru Sawe is a Kenyan marathon runner from Barsombe, Rift Valley, who rose from a low-key half-marathon career to become the fastest marathoner in human history. After a 2:02:05 debut in Valencia in 2024, he won London and Berlin in 2025, then shattered the two-hour barrier at the 2026 London Marathon in 1:59:30 — the first legally recognized sub-two-hour marathon ever run. He also holds a World Road Running Championships half-marathon title from Riga in 2023.

The moments

Iconic
achievements

World Champion
2023

Sawe Takes Half-Marathon Gold in Kenyan Sweep

At the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Sawe won half-marathon gold in 59:10, leading a Kenyan sweep of the podium.

Legend
2024

Sawe Debuts in 2:02:05, Fifth-Fastest Ever

Sawe opened his marathon career in Valencia with a 2:02:05 finish, ranking as the fifth-fastest debut in history at the time.

World Nr. 1
2025

Sawe Wins London Marathon in 2:02:27

Sawe took the London Marathon title with a finishing time of 2:02:27, crossing the line ahead of the field.

World Nr. 1
2025

Sawe Wins Berlin Marathon in World-Leading 2:02:16

Sawe took the Berlin Marathon in 2:02:16, posting the world-leading time despite hot conditions on the course.

Never Been Done
2026

Sawe Breaks Two Hours in London Marathon Win

Sawe won the London Marathon in 1:59:30, becoming the first to run an official sub-two-hour marathon and cutting Kelvin Kiptum's world record by 65 seconds.

Legend
2026

Sawe Returns to Kenya After Breaking Two-Hour Barrier

After breaking the two-hour marathon barrier, Sawe returned to Kenya to a hero's welcome, cementing his status as a national icon.

The record

  1. 2023Sawe Takes Half-Marathon Gold in Kenyan SweepWorld Champion
  2. 2024Sawe Debuts in 2:02:05, Fifth-Fastest EverLegend
  3. 2025Sawe Wins London Marathon in 2:02:27World Nr. 1
  4. 2025Sawe Wins Berlin Marathon in World-Leading 2:02:16World Nr. 1
  5. 2026Sawe Runs First Official Sub-Two-Hour MarathonNever Been Done
  6. 2026Sawe Breaks Two Hours in London Marathon WinNever Been Done
  7. 2026Sawe Returns to Kenya After Breaking Two-Hour BarrierLegend